Wood ducks are one of the most beautiful birds on the planet, certainly the most beautiful duck. These birds live in wooded swamps. Natural cavities for nesting, such as holes in trees, are scarce, and the Wood Duck readily uses nest boxes put up around lake margins. If nest boxes are placed too close together, many females lay eggs in the nests of other females. They are one of the few duck species equipped with strong claws that can grip bark and perch on branches. Usually the Wood Duck nests in trees near water, sometimes directly over water, but other times up to 2 km (1.2 mi) away. After hatching, the ducklings jump down from the nest tree and make their way to water. The mother calls them to her, but does not help them in any way. The ducklings may jump from heights of up to 89 m (290 ft) without injury. ( all about birds)Then this is very interesting.....a study on wood ducks published this. A researcher was trying to raise baby wood ducks in similar conditions to nature & they were not surviving. He analyzed what he was missing & it was the jump to the ground just after hatching. Once he added that to the process - the hatchlings thrived. Apparently that jump & bump is critical & starts something working! Nature works in many ways...Apparently other ducklings do a similar JUMP. A banker is Spokane Washington saved 12 baby ducklings who one by one jumped off the ledge of a building some 20 feet up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-vQBMkkE1M It is unknown if these duckling NEED to jump and bump in order to survive! These appear to be mallards.